Residents furious by overbearing Halesowen housing development (From Halesowen News)

Residents furious by overbearing Halesowen housing development

8:00am Monday 25th February 2013 in News

A HOUSING development in Halesowen is making residents life a misery due to it being built up “like a castle.”

Residents on Oakbarn Road were furious when the footings of The Birches, Long Lane, were higher than their back fences giving new occupants a birdseye view into their homes.

They have also complained since Bellway Developments began shifting earth that suds water is now cascading through their gardens, something which has not happened in decades.

Maureen Everton, who has lived in Oakbarn Road for 55 years, said: “It is an absolute disgrace. “The plans we were shown were different, it is enormous, we were promised no windows but now we will have people overlooking our gardens, it looks like they are building a castle.

“It is like they are building a castle on my doorstep when they only promised to build houses.”

She added: “And what is worse there is suds water rising up gardens, something we have not seen since the old factory on Mucklow Hill closed.”

Halesowen North councillor Hilary Bills sympathised with the residents after inspecting the building work at the 19 home site.

She said: “It just doesn’t look right.

“Bellway may be right that all has been checked and approved but if that is the case I feel sorry for the residents as the photos will show.”

She added: “When they were reassured about the plans the residents didn’t realise it would look like that either, particularly the build up of land, before the houses were built.“ Bellway Developments, which are already selling three and four bedroom houses from £199,995 on The Birches, denied the development was detrimental to the area.

A Bellway spokesman said: “The site conforms to the planning approval and the levels have been checked and approved by the planning officer.

“In relation to contamination, the ground has been cleared of contaminants in accordance with best practice environment agency guidelines as witnessed by the environmental health office from the local authority.”